Social Security

Posted: February 15, 2013 - 10:29pm

Q: What is the difference between the disability application and the disability report? Do I have to complete both?

A: The Disability Application is an application for Social Security disability benefits. To receive Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits, you must file an application. The Disability Report, meanwhile, is a form that provides Social Security with information about your current medical condition. We need this information to process your disability application. To start a claim for disability benefits, you need to complete a disability application, a disability report, and an authorization release form that allows us to obtain your medical records. You can get the disability application process started at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

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Q: I’ve been turned down for disability benefits. How do I appeal?

A: Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the “Appeal a disability decision online” link in the left-hand column. This is the starting point. There you can ask us to review our medical decision. There are two parts to the Internet appeal process:

1) An Appeal Request Internet form; and

2) An Appeal Disability Report, which gives us more information about your condition.

You can complete both forms online. To appeal online, the only form you are required to submit is an appeal request (Part 1). However, we encourage you to submit an Appeal Disability Report (Part 2) because it will give us more information about you and help us process your appeal more quickly. The place to start is www.socialsecurity.gov.

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(This column was prepared by the Social Security Administration. For fast answers to specific Social Security questions, contact Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213.)